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Wesley Stace (from the album Late Style available on Omnivore Recordings) (by Bryant Liggett)
Wesley Stace has thrown a curveball toward into the lounge music camp. The musician, known to many as John Wesley Harding, has kept busy whether dropping releases as Harding or Stace, with his latest, Late Style, sporting a Jazzy bounce delivered with a classy croon. Void of animated exotica, it is a sound that casually bounces along, aided by a cool-cat delivery; light, airy, and laidback. File under lounge. Wesley Stace is a smart writer. He jabs at backstage fans trolling the musicians in “Where the Bands Are” while “Hey Director” featuring a wonderful vibraphone lead, takes a poke at the movie-making biz. While he’s snappy with the words, Wesley Stace is casual with the melodies. “Everything All the Time” has the Ray Conniff-inspired angelic background singers, “Come Back Yesterday” is a bouncy Pop tune, and once again those angelic background singers (Kelly Hogan and Nora O’Connor) return for a dreamy nod, not-so nod to The Golden State in “The California Fix”. “Well Done Everyone” is wonderful satire that cuts spotlights problems right here at home in the U.S., the lyrics, worth multiple listens, are partnered with a melody that will stick in your head. The album closes with the Folkie-waltz “How You All Work Me”. The story is more satire, where Stace addresses his audience and the good and bad of the music rigors. Wesley Stace slips in harpsichords and harps, Hammonds and horns, throughout an album that’s an easily listenable rather than easy listening, Late Style more of an Indie take on Folk and Lounge music. The sensation is cool, the melodies groove, and instead of a lesson and laugh y from Bob Dorough or Vic Mizzy, you get Wesley Stace providing subtle sass. (by Bryant Liggett) Listen and buy the music of Wesley Stace from AMAZON Please visit the Wesley Stace website for more information
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